The University of Iowa contributes $6 billion to Iowa’s economy annually, and every $1 in state appropriations to the university results in a greater than 1,500 percent return for Iowans. The university also is one of the state’s top employers and is responsible for the creation of one of every 30 jobs in the state, or a total 51,818 jobs last year. Those are the key findings of a comprehensive economic impact study produced by Pittsburgh-based research consultant firm Tripp Umbach and made public during a news conference today.